Western World Standards for Muslims:
“If You Think Like Us, Speak Like Us, Dress Like Us & Basically Do Everything Like We DO You Will Be Regarded As a Modern, Progressive & Civilized Community. But If You Try to Live Your Life According to the Teachings of Islam You Will Be Branded As a Extremist, Terrorist, Fundamentalist, Uncivilized etc & Ostracized from the World Arena.” - AB
Ruling on Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Firstly: Valentine’s Day is a jaahili Roman festival, which continued to be celebrated until after the Romans became Christian. This festival became connected with the saint known as Valentine who was sentenced to death on 14 February 270 CE. The kuffaar still celebrate this festival, during which immorality and evil are practised widely. For more details on this celebration, please see: Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Secondly: It is not permissible for a Muslim to celebrate any of the festivals of the kuffaar, because festivals come under the heading of shar’i issues which are to be based on the sound texts.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Festivals are part of sharee’ah, clear way and rituals of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way” [al-Maa’idah 5:48]

“For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow” [al-Hajj 22:67]

such as the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. There is no difference between their participating in the festival and their participating in all other rituals. Joining in fully with the festival is joining in with kufr, and joining in with some of its minor issues is joining in with some of the branches of kufr. Indeed, festivals are one of the most unique features that distinguish various religions and among their most prominent symbols, so joining in with them is joining in with the most characteristic and prominent symbols of kufr. No doubt joining in with this may lead to complete kufr.

Partially joining in, at the very least, is disobedience and sin. This was indicated by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said: “Every people has its festival and this is our festival.” This is worse than joining them in wearing the zinaar (a garment that was worn only by ahl al-dhimmah) and other characteristics of theirs, for those characteristics are man-made and are not part of their religion, rather the purpose behind them is simply to distinguish between a Muslim and a kaafir. As for the festival and its rituals, this is part of the religion which is cursed along with its followers, so joining in with it is joining in with something that is a cause of incurring the wrath and punishment of Allaah. End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/207).

He also said (may Allaah have mercy on him): It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anything that is uniquely a part of their festivals, whether it be food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, refraining from a regular habit, doing acts of worship or anything else. It is not permissible to give a feast or to give gifts, or to sell anything that will help them to do that for that purpose, or to allow children and others to play games that are part of the festivals, or to wear one’s adornments.

To conclude: the Mulsims should not do any of their rituals at the time of their festivals; rather the day of their festival should be like any other day for the Muslims. The Muslims should not do anything specific in imitation of them. End quote from Majmoo al-Fataawa (25/329).

Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the Christians have a festival, and the Jews have a festival, it is only for them, so no Muslim should join them in that, just as no Muslim should join them in their religion or their direction of prayer. End quote from Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, published in Majallat al-Hikmah (4/193)

The hadeeth to which Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah referred was narrated by al-Bukhaari (952) and Muslim (892) from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: Abu Bakr came in and there were two young girls of the Ansaar with me who were singing about what had happened to the Ansaar on the day of Bu’aath. She said: And they were not (professional) singing girls. Abu Bakr said: “Musical instruments of the shaytaan in the house of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?!” and that was on the day of Eid. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O Abu Bakr, every people has a festival and this is our festival.”

Abu Dawood (1134) narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: “What are these two days?” They said: “We used to play on these days during the Jaahiliyyah.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has given you instead of them two days that are better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

This indicates that festivals are among the characteristics by which nations are distinguished, and it is not permissible to celebrate the festivals of the ignorant and the mushrikeen (polytheists). The scholars have issued fatwas stating that it is haraam to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

1 –Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

In recent times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially among female students. It is a Christian festival where people dress completely in red, including clothes and shoes, and they exchange red flowers. We hope that you can explain the ruling on celebrating this festival, and what your advice is to Muslims with regard to such matters; may Allaah bless you and take care of you.

He replied:

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.
1- It is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.
2- It promotes love and infatuation.
3- It calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them).

It is not permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else. The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us. End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199)

2 – The Standing Committee was asked: Some people celebrate Valentine’s Day on the fourteenth of February every year. They exchange gifts of red roses and wear red clothes and congratulate one another. Some bakeries make red coloured sweets and draw hearts on them, and some stores advertise products that are especially for this day. What is your opinion on the following:

1- Celebrating this day
2- Buying things from the stores on this day
3- Storekeepers who are not celebrating it selling things that may be given as gifts to people who are celebrating it?

They replied:

The clear evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah – and the consensus of the early generations of this ummah – indicates that there are only two festivals in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Any other festivals that have to do with a person, a group, an event or anything else are innovated festivals, which it is not permissible for Muslims to observe, approve of or express joy on those occasions, or to help others to celebrate them in any way, because that is transgressing the sacred limits of Allaah, and whoever transgresses the sacred limits of Allaah has wronged himself.

If the fabricated festival is also a festival of the kuffaar, then the sin is even greater, because this is imitating them and it is a kind of taking them as close friends, and Allaah has forbidden the believers to imitate them and take them as close friends in His Holy Book. And it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Valentine’s Day comes under this heading because it is an idolatrous Christian festival, so it is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to observe it or approve of it or congratulate people on it. Rather he has to ignore it and avoid it, in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, and so as to keep away from the causes that incur the wrath and punishment of Allaah.

It is also haraam for the Muslim to help people to celebrate this or any other haraam festival by supplying any kind of food or drink, or buying or selling or manufacturing or giving or advertising etc., because all of that is cooperating in sin and transgression and is disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]

The Muslim must adhere to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times of fitnah when evil is widespread. He should be smart and avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned Allaah’s anger and who have gone astray, and the evildoers who have no fear of Allaah and who do not have any pride in being Muslims.

The Muslim must turn to Allaah and seek His guidance and remain steadfast in following it, for there is no Guide except Allaah and no one can make a person steadfast but Him. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

3 – Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him) was asked:

Among our young men and women it has become common to celebrate Valentine’s Day, which is named after a saint who is venerated by the Christians, who celebrate it every year on February 14, when they exchange gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating this day and exchanging gifts?

He replied:

Firstly: it is not permissible to celebrate these innovated festivals, because it is an innovation for which there is no basis in Islam. It comes under the heading of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.”

Secondly: it involves imitating the kuffaar and copying them by venerating that which they venerate and respecting their festivals and rituals, and imitating them in something that is part of their religion. In the hadeeth it says: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Thirdly: it results in evils and haraam things such as wasting time, singing, music, extravagance, unveiling, wanton display, men mixing with women, women appearing before men other than their mahrams, and other haraam things, or things that are a means that leads to immorality. That cannot be excused by the claim that this is a kind of entertainment and fun. The one who is sincere towards himself should keep away from sin and the means that lead to it.

And he said:

Based on this, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if it is known that the purchaser celebrates these festivals or will give these things as gifts on those days, so that the seller will not be a partner of the one who does those innovations. And Allaah knows best. End quote.
And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

AB_________________This is an email send to OurBeacon, which is posted under a specific category. OurBeacon does not immediately agree with the email. Comments will be given when neccesary.

Although mr.Border is right on some issues, he mostly bases it on wrong ideas of what Islam is.

First of all, 80% of all Western people do not revere the saint Valentine, and have not for at least 3-200 years. In the Western world it has become a culteral feast, and not a religious one. It has only social and commercial intentions, and not religious ones.

Valentine's day is useless. Why? Because you should experience 'valentine's day' everyday with your spouse. Love must grow every minute, must be expressed every day, not just on 14 februari. And indeed, the Muslim world must not take over Western lifestyle. Muslims must take over reason, logic, wisdom, science and technology from where ever they find it. All deeds should be meant for growth and development of the society. Festivals and feasts only have social goals, and must thus be approached as such. Fun and experssion of joy is important for a society, but it most not harm individuals or society, and must not go against the Permanent Values of the Quran.

You see how easy it is to answer? No scholar opinions needed. Allah says in the Quran:

3:110 (Since you have been empowered by the Qur’an), you are indeed the best suited Community that has been raised up for the good of mankind. You shall enjoin the Right, by example and close the doors to Wrong, by example, since you have conviction in Allah (and accept His Final Word as the Criterion of Right and Wrong 3:4. The Qur’an educates you on the Permanent Moral Value System and distinguishes clearly what the otherwise vague terms of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, and ‘good’ and ‘evil’ would mean). Now if the People of the Scripture had attained this kind of belief, it would have been for their own good. Some of them do embrace belief, while most of them continue to drift away.

What more guidance do we need!!!! Everything in life should be approached as: 'Does this help us? Does it add value to our society?'

Quran and logic is all that we need.

Mr.Border quotes scholars, and gives him the honors as if it were saints. Secterian Islam does have a priesthood and a sainthood. Al-Islam has only the Quran and reason.

He approaches the matter from a religious point of view, and not from a Deen point of view. Deen only discards things if it goes against the Quran, or when it has no use in society's growth to perfection. There is no word as 'sin' in the Quran, you can only harm yourself or society, Allah cannot be offended by our deeds.

The beauty is that his quoted scholars present Hadith as:

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.”

Most Muslims only look outside their realm of belief. They refuse to accept that Muslim belief already is distorted by outside sources. They only look in the now, that Muslims should not take over modern Western customs. But if they take this Hadith more seriously, and not use it when they feel like it, then they must also look in the past and see the alien beliefs which have covered the Muslim approach to Islam. Most Muslims are better Christians, Jews and Persians then Christians, Jews and Zoroasterian themselves are. As most beliefs of the Hadith are taken from them.

It is important we teach our Ummah to focus on the right things, but this can only be done when our Ummah is rid of all the nonsense they believe as Allah's religion.

Some little examples:

At the outset, please know that a great scholar of Islam, Ubaidullah Sindhi concedes, "I cannot teach Bukhari hadith to any youngster, or to a non-Muslim because of shame" (Preface to Ilham-ur-Rahman). Let’s explore why he said this…

Mahmood bin Rabe narrates, “I still remember when I was five years old, the Holy Prophet rinsed his mouth and then poured the water into mine” (Kitabul Ilm vol.2, hadith 77). Could the Exalted Prophet hold any human being at that level of inferiority?

Kitabul Ilm ahadith 91, 92, 93 states: The Prophet’s cheeks turned red, his face became red with anger . . . and so on. This statement is absolutely at variance with the Prophet’s character, and appears to have been fabricated to defame him. This is only one of the hundreds of such narratives that portray him to be a man of temper. The Holy Prophet, in fact, was a cool-minded person with exceptional self-control.

Prophet Solomon boasted that he would impregnate one hundred women in one night, but only one woman became pregnant and gave birth to a half-formed child (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:110). This tragedy is reported elsewhere to have occurred because Solomon did not say "Insha-Allah” before going to his hundred wives.

The (Exalted) Messenger used to visit all nine of his wives every night (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:52). On the other hand, Bukhari repeatedly narrates that the Holy Prophet used to stand at prayers all night. So much so that his feet used to swell.

The Holy Messenger used to have intercourse with all of his wives in one hour of the day and night (without taking a bath) and these (wives) were eleven. The narrator tries to preempt an objection by stating that he (the Holy Prophet) had the (sexual) power of 30 men (Bukhari, Book of Bath 1:189). The Mulla mind has so terribly affected our masses that even derogatory statements such as this become praiseworthy. The Holy Prophet was a perfect guide to humanity. He was not a man of unbridled desire. The women who lived in his household were primarily there for shelter. Only a contemptuous mind can perceive the Mothers of Believers as objects of pleasure for the Prophet. Bukhari highlights the above hadith by putting a special heading: “to have sex with many women with only one bath.”

The Prophet said that the best man amongst his followers is the one who has the greatest number of wives (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:52). The Qur'an (49:13) tells us that the best person is the one who is best in conduct.

Aisha said to the Prophet, “Won’t you rather graze your camel onto a tree whose leaves have not yet been grazed?” Arwa bin Zubair said that Aisha meant she was the only virgin the Prophet had married (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:55).

The Prophet disapproved of his companion Jabir’s plan to marry a widow and asked, "Why did you not marry a virgin so that you played with her and she played with you?" (reference same). The Holy Prophet was extremely compassionate to widows and divorced women.

Hazrat Ali stated that he suffered from “jiryan” (drainage of prostate secretions) constantly (Bukhari, Kitabul Ilm p.150). This fictitious condition is widely believed in the East to take away manhood completely. Someone is trying to dishonor the great mujahid of Islam.

The sun rises between the two antlers of Satan (Bukhari 2:134).
Prophet Abraham lied three times (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:57). After insulting the Patriarch of Faith, the narrator goes on to justify the accusation with lame arguments.

After the fall of Khyber, people described the beauty of Safia Bint Hui, the new bride of a slain enemy soldier. The Prophet chose her for himself. On the way to Madina he stopped and had intercourse with her. His companions did not know if she was a wife or a concubine. Later, a veil was drawn between her and the men-folk and they came to know that she was a wife (Bukhari, Book of Sales and Book of Nikah 3:59). Elsewhere, the narrator of the wicked story states that Safia was initially given to Wahia Kulbi, but because of her beauty, the Prophet chose her for himself, and asked Wahia to pick another woman. An important reminder: The Qur'an (47:4) ordains that prisoners of war are to be freed either for ransom or as an act of kindness. There is no third option. How could the Prophet and his holy companions enslave human beings?

The Prophet said, “Bad luck, misfortune and doom can exist in a wife, a home and a horse” (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:60).

“After my time, the greatest tribulation for men will be women” (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:61).

The Prophet said to a man, "I make you the owner of this woman because you can recite some Surahs of the Qur'an" (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:69).
“A woman presented herself to the Prophet. He intently gazed at her from head to toe and then lowered his head” (meaning she did not interest him) (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:71).

Have you noted the degradation of women in the above five ahadith? Could these be the words and deeds of the Holy Prophet? The Qur’an testifies that the Exalted Prophet was the best in conduct (68:4) and a model for all mankind (33:21).

When the Prophet married Aisha, she was 6 years old, and the marriage was consummated when she was 9 (and he was 54) (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:75). On the other hand, the Qur'an ties marriage to adulthood
and mental maturity by declaring marriage a solemn covenant (4:21). There is strong historical evidence contrary to Bukhari, but our Mulla loves nothing but trash of this kind. The Holy Prophet never did anything against the Qur’an. “His character was the Qur’an,” (Hazrat Aisha).

I saw that most of those entering the gate of hellfire were women (Bukhari, Book of Nikah 3:97).

Fitna (tribulation) is in the East (Bukhari, Book of Talaq 3:132). We seriously doubt that the Holy Prophet, called the “mercy for the worlds” by Allah, could confine his vision to East or West.

Aisha said to the Prophet, “Ah! My head is bursting.” He said, “I wish it did.” Aisha responded: “You want me to die so that you can spend the next night with another wife” (Bukhari, Book of Medicine, vol.3).

Run from the leper as you run from the lion (Bukhari, Book of Medicine 3:259). Against this see the contradiction in several sources: “There is no such thing as a contagious disease.”

A man inquired, “We earn income from these bondwomen, (other narratives mention prostitution) so can we do coitus interruptus with them?” The Prophet said, “There is no sin in doing that” (Kitabul Qadr 3:543). The most famous Mulla of the 20th century, Maudoodi, comments on this hadith that it is alright for a master to marry off a slave girl to another while using her for all personal services (except sex) (Tafhim 1:340).

Some people got sick in Madina. The Prophet advised them to drink camel's urine and milk. After they became well, they killed a shepherd. The Prophet ordered that their hands and feet be chopped off and their eyes enucleated. They were laid on burning sand. When they asked for water it was denied them. So much so that they tasted sand until they died (Kitabul Mahrabain and Kitabut Tib p.254). Dear Reader, could the compassionate and merciful Prophet order torture on human beings? Is it possible that the narrator of this hadith wants to portray the Holy Prophet as barbaric? Could this narrator be a true Muslim?

Seeing a black woman in a dream is the sign of an oncoming epidemic (Kitabul Ta'abir). Alas, the poor woman! Here comes more…
The Prophet’s wives awoke late one morning. He said, “Many women who are dressed up in this world will be raised unclothed in the Hereafter” (Kitabul Fatan 3:718).

Some Muslims sided with Mushrikeen and idolaters and invited them to attack the Prophet! (Kitabul Fatan 3:723). The Qur’an mentions all of the Holy companions as staunch believers (8:74) with whom Allah was pleased (9:100).

The Exalted Prophet said, “I will be the first one to regain consciousness in Qiamat, but I will find prophet Moses holding the foot of the Throne of God (Hadith 1750 p.784). This hadith has obviously been contrived by some non-Muslim to indicate the superiority of Prophet Moses over Mohammad (SA).
I was walking outside and suddenly saw the angel of Hira sitting on a throne that filled the earth and the sky. I was terrified so much that I was about to fall to the ground (Hadith 471 p.224). The Exalted Prophet was the most courageous person the planet has ever seen and angels are not fond of playing tricks with prophets.

Ali Murtaza and Fatima prayed only when they could get up from sleep. The Prophet rebuked them, "Man is more contentious than all other things" (Kitabul Aetesam).

The Prophet used to become very restless and frightened whenever he saw the sky overcast (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:213). The Holy Prophet preached against omens and superstitions and was a man of great courage.

Hoors (beauties of heaven) will be full-breasted and free of menstruation (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:225).

Important Note: Hoor is plural in Arabic meaning “intelligent and righteous companions”. Ahwar is the male gender and haoora is the female. The promise of such companions in Paradise is referred to in the Holy Qur’an 44:54 and 52:20. For centuries, our historians and Imams have portrayed hoors only as voluptuous women of Paradise.

The hellfire complained to Allah, "One part of me is eating the other part." So, the hellfire was allowed two breaths - one in summer and one in winter. That is how you see the change of seasons (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:231).

Azan, (the call to prayer), puts Satan to flight, expelling gas as he runs away (Bukhari Beginning of Creation 2:237).

Rats are the lost tribe of Israel because they drink not the camel's milk, but drink goat’s milk (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:244). The camel was prohibited as a food source for the Israelites.

The above statements need no comment except that only a foolish mind can accept them as coming from the wisest man the planet has ever known.

Five animals are sinful, so kill them even in Makkah: rat, scorpion, eagle, crow, and a biting dog (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:245).
The Prophet ordered the killing of dogs (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:247). Elsewhere it says the killing of all black dogs was ordered.
Woman was created from the rib so she will always remain crooked. Leave her crooked (Bukhari, Beginning of Creation 2:251). This is a Biblical statement. Later, it adds and reap advantage. The Qur'an does not state that woman was created from a rib.

Prophet Job was bathing. Locusts of gold started raining on him (Kitabul Anbia).

Mamoona said that she gazed at the Prophet taking a bath after intercourse, until she saw him wash his private parts (Bukhari, The Book of Bath 1:193). The Prophet declared that modesty is a part of faith. Modesty and faith are tied together. However, for centuries our Mullas have been repeating, “There is no shame in religion.” Many a woman has been dishonored on this assumption. A hadith was made up in the name of Hazrat Aisha praising Ansari women for asking questions without concern for modesty or shame. To our Imams and Mullas, questions of religion comprise in great part of sex, bath, menstruation, concubines, multi-marriages, divorce, and the like. Witness another example of shamelessness:

Abu Hurairah reported, "When tips of the genitalia meet, and the man sits between the woman's legs and pushes, a bath becomes obligatory” (Bukhari 1:95, chapter 201). Thanks for the details!

Aisha said, "The Prophet used to place a pillow in my lap even though I would be menstruating, and then he would recite the Qur'an" (Bukhari, Book of Bath). Can even an ordinary Muslim, do this?!

If the Prophet wanted to have intercourse with a menstruating wife, he ordered her to tie a loincloth even though the menstruation would be at its peak. Then he had intercourse. Whoever has concocted this hadith adds a contrary statement: Aisha said, "No one of you has as much control over his desire as the Prophet had!" (The Book on Menstruation 1:98, chapter 207).

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet said, "I was praying. Satan came in front of me and tried to force me to break my prayers. Allah gave me control over him and I threw him down. I thought of tying him with a pillar so that you could see him in the morning (Bukhari 1:469, chapter 766). According to another hadith, which agrees with the Qur'an, there is a Satan (temptation) within each person.

Fasting castrates (Bukhari 1:685). No comments.

Aisha relates, “The Prophet used to have intercourse with us and kissed us while he was fasting.” Then she shied away smiling (Bukhari 2:691).
Khola bint Hakeem presented herself to the Prophet. Aisha exclaimed, “The woman does not feel ashamed of saying this!” However, the Prophet started receiving a revelation and Aisha complained, “O’ Messenger of Allah! I see that your Lord rushes to fulfill your desires” (Bukhari, Kitabun Nikah p.67). Here, some criminal is trying to create doubt in the Holy Revelation.

The summary of hadith #309 is that an angel writes a person’s fate while he/she is in the mother’s womb, whether it will be a male or female, good or bad. Money, age, death, etc. are also predestined. Dear Reader, no wonder that thinking minds ask why then it was necessary to reveal Allah’s Guidance!